30/10/99 Dundee 1 Hearts 0
By Dundeefc.net
April 24 2002
SAT 30TH OCTOBER
DUNDEE 1(Tweed 1)
Hearts 0
Attendance 6018
Subs: Grady (for Sharp), Robertson, Elliot, Slater, Langfield
Steve Tweed's first goal of the season was enough to earn Dundee a home League win for the only time this season. There were only 106 seconds on the clock when the ex-Hibs central defender was on the spot to fire a low shot into the Hearts net. The home side, without five regulars, were forced to draft in new signings Patricio Billio and Craig Ireland, ( a shock inclusion announced an hour before kick off) who is on a month's loan from Dunfermline.
The home side went ahead right at the start and were forced to hang on for the remaining 88 minutes but the new men cleared their paths in a most unexpected but very welcome victory. Even before the goal Dundee saw Willie Falconer's header hit the bar and Eddie Annand's attempt from the rebound hit the post before Falconer's shot was deflected for a corner. Steven Boyack swung this over and Ireland headed down for Tweed to send a 12-yarder into the net and get Dundee off to a dream start.
One minute later it could have been all square when Gary Wales saw his 16-yard lob go just over the bar and end up on the roof of the net. Hearts fought very hard to equalise in the 16th minute when skipper Colin Cameron fired in an overhead kick which produced the save of the match from Robert Douglas. Another 60 seconds and it was Dundee's turn to curse their luck when Gavin Rae got to the byline and cut the ball back only for Steven Pressley to produce a clearance near his own goal line.
McSwegan had a chance in the 28th minute after Steve Fulton and Gary Naysmith carved open the home defence but the striker fired a weak shot past the post from 15 yards. Hearts came closer when Cameron played the ball through to Fulton and his fierce, angled effort was diverted across goal by Douglas and Frank Van Eijs cleared for a corner. Another ball from Fulton gave McSwegan a simple chance but he took too long and Ireland was able to clear. As half-time approached Ireland was up field to supply the ball for Falconer to hit a shot on the turn which went straight to Gilles Rousset and on the stroke of half-time goal hero Tweed was booked for a foul on McSwegan.
The second half was a continuation of the first and although they had loads of pressure, misses by McSwegan, Cameron and substitute Juanjo meant that the home side would grab their first win of the season although they had two men booked - Boyack and Van Eijs both being shown the yellow card. As time ran out Dundee began to defend too deep which led to Jocky screaming at the defence and midfield to push up more. The final ten minutes were agony as Hearts piled forward but roared on by the magificent support from the Bobby Cox stand Dundee held out for three vital points, and that first home league win in front of the new stands.